Ojibwe in Minnesota

The People of Minnesota

by Anton Treuer

A compelling, concise narrative that traces the history of the Ojibwe people in Minnesota, exploring cultural practices, challenges presented by more recent settlers, and modern-day discussions of sovereignty and identity.

With insight and candor, noted Ojibwe scholar Anton Treuer traces thousands of years of the complicated history of the Ojibwe people—their economy, culture, and clan system and how these have changed throughout time, perhaps most dramatically with the arrival of Europeans into Minnesota territory. Ojibwe in Minnesota covers the fur trade, the Iroquois Wars, and Ojibwe-Dakota relations; the treaty process and creation of reservations; and the systematic push for assimilation as seen in missionary activity, government policy, and boarding schools. Treuer does not shy away from today’s controversial topics, covering them frankly and with sensitivity—issues of sovereignty as they influence the running of casinos and land management; the need for change in modern tribal government; poverty, unemployment, and drug abuse; and constitutional and educational reform. He also tackles the complicated issue of identity and details recent efforts and successes in cultural preservation and language revitalization. A personal account from the state's first female Indian lawyer, Margaret Treuer, tells her firsthand experience of much change in the community and looks ahead with renewed cultural strength and hope for the first people of Minnesota.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Indigenous, American History, Native American, Cultural, Anthropology

112 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Anton Treuer (pronounced troy-er) is Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and author of many books. His professional work in education, history, and Indigenous studies and long service as an officiant at Ojibwe tribal ceremonies have made him a consummate storyteller in the Ojibwe cultural tradition and a well-known public speaker. In 2018, he was named Guardian of Culture and Lifeways by the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums. Anton's first book for young adults, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (Young Readers Edition), won the SCBWI Golden Kite. Where Wolves Don’t Die is his first novel.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, this book was perfect for my current learning level as I strive to understand more about the history and current culture of Native Americans in Minnesota, my previous and current home state. With the focus on the Ojibwe, this book has it all from before the French fur traders to 2010, the year of publication. The book is comprehensive while still very readable, and it has en extensive reference section for those who want to know more. I googled one of the success stories described in the book, an Ojibwe language immersion pre-school in Minneapolis, and I’m happy to report it is still going strong. I recognized similarities in challenges faced by the Anishinaabe with those of tribes in Alaska.

Part way through it occurred to me to find out more about the author, Anton Treuer, who I learned is Ojibwe, and a well known speaker and author, and Professor at Bemidji State University. I am planning to read more of his work.

[Wolgraugorimilir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid book. An introduction to a lot of history.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the content of this book appears in Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (published by Treuer two years later), but some is more specific to Ojibwe in Minnesota. The book includes an interesting personal statement about growing up Ojibwe from Margaret Treuer, the first Indian attorney in Minnesota who later became a tribal judge. Although it isn't noted in the book, Margaret is Anton Treuer's mother.

[L Campagnola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative and makes me want to learn more about the Ojibwe. As a person born and raised in Minnesota, I wish all residents knew more about this community. I had no idea about the laws, history and politics related to reservations. This should be required reading in our state.

[Krissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a community profile I’m working on for my writing for health professionals class. Great synopsis && a nice starting point for my research.

I like the layout and have noted there are other books in the People of Minnesota.

Library read.

[Laura Bayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is required reading for the American Indians in Minnesota course at the University of Minnesota. I grew up here in MN but never before was taught this information. It should have been mandatory long before this educational level!

[Mia Deaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a college class and really enjoyed seeing an insight into the history of the Ojibwe people. My university operates on the traditional homeland of the Dakota people, and I decided it was important to understand indigenous culture, seeing as I’m living on their land. Excited to read some additional books over the semester to learn more.

[Mark Bourdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ojibwe in Minnesota provides a very good overview of the history, culture, traditions and struggles facing the reservation and non-reservation Ojibwe. It also discusses the differences between the Ojibwe reservations in Minnesota. Very good primer.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a required read for my college Human Relations class. It was surprisingly interesting.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and concise overview.

[Strobelity · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well put together little book. Very informative.

[Linda Gilligan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good synopisis of Ojibwe history in the state. I was surprised to learn that there are less than 1000 people fluent in the Ojibwe language at this time.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Informative, but the scholarship behind this is dubious. Treur doesn't let facts stand in the way of a good story.

[Karin Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was helpful in understanding what some of my high school students may be dealing with and why. It'll be important in my classroom.

[Bobbi Aakhus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for Minnesota Standards for 7th and 8th graders